Ohio State head coach Robert Gary and the United States junior cross country team finished in eighth-place Sunday at the 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain.

Totaling a team score of 153, the U.S. was led by Craig Lutz and Ammar Moussa — Lutz crossed the finish line in 29th, followed close behind 32nd-place Moussa. The Top 5 Americans all finished within the Top 60 overall.

“Craig Lutz was just off the very first pack and held tight throughout,” Gary said after the race. “A very nice grouping for our 2-4, and Justin Vilhauer attempted to move from the back (which he was successful in doing).”

Former Buckeye Brian Olinger competed for the men’s senior team, finishing 75th overall. As a team, the United States finished 10th, led 36th-place finisher Ben True.

“It was awesome to see former Buckeye Brian Olinger in his USA gear lining up against the best in the world,” Gary said of Olinger’s performance. “From walk-on to Team USA is quite a journey.

“Overall, this has been a wonderful experience. I feel extremely honored, and I am beyond excited about my position at the world track championships this summer.”

Gary will return to coaching at the national team level this August as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2011 IAAF World Track & Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea.